It’s been a difficult term for the first chief judge: two violent populist leaders, one of whom led an insurrection, a devastating war, and now increasing pride and incivility must have left Alma drained. He concluded that he needed to dedicate himself full-time to leading the church and preaching the gospel. So he selected Nephihah to succeed him as chief judge, and he stepped down.
Chapter Outline
- Years 6 & 7: The people humble themselves, and many are baptized (v. 1-5)
- Years 8 & 9: The people become proud and contentious (v. 6-14)
- Alma resigns as chief judge so that he can dedicate his time to the church (v. 15-20)
My Takeaways
- Adversity can remind us what is really important and motivate us to do better.
- The Lord is not pleased with social classes and economic inequality.
- We need to prioritize our use of time and be careful not to overcommit.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ The people humble themselves – Alma 4:1-5
Awakened
After defeating the Amlicites, the Nephites were devastated and “awakened to a remembrance of their duty.” We can easily fall into a spiritual slumber if we are not careful. We need to engage regularly in activities which help us awake unto God.
“They Were Awakened to a Remembrance of Their Duty” – Alma 4:3
A few weeks ago, a colleague at work asked me, “What good could possibly come from the COVID-19 pandemic?” I can’t remember what I said which prompted this question, but I remember not having an immediate answer. In subsequent weeks, a number of answers have come to mind. One of them, which I’ve been pondering…
❖ The people become proud – Alma 4:6-14
Lifted Up in the Pride of Their Eyes – Alma 4:6-9
6 And it came to pass in the eighth year of the reign of the judges, that the people of the church began to wax proud, because of their exceeding riches, and their fine silks, and their fine-twined linen, and because of their many flocks and herds, and their gold and their silver, and all…
No Inequality
Alma’s primary goal when he gave up the office of chief judge was to address the issue of inequality among his people: He saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and…
What Should I Do About Economic Inequality?
Earlier this week, I wrote about how wearing “costly apparel” can distract us from caring for the poor and the needy. Yesterday, we discussed the Lord’s expectation that we be responsive to the needs of the people around us. The Book of Mormon also talks about these principles on a larger scale: social classes, wealth…
❖ Alma dedicates himself to the ministry – Alma 4:15-20
How Can I Manage Time More Effectively?
We are all stewards of the resources God has given to us. One of those resources is time. I’ve been thinking today about how I spend my time and how I can make better use of it. Here are some thoughts which were inspired by the Book of Mormon: Don’t try to do more than…
Nevertheless, the Spirit of the Lord Did Not Fail Him – Alma 4:15
15 And now it came to pass that Alma, having seen the afflictions of the humble followers of God, and the persecutions which were heaped upon them by the remainder of his people, and seeing all their inequality, began to be very sorrowful; nevertheless the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him.(Alma 4:15) Mormon…
To Stir Them Up in Remembrance of Their Duty – Alma 4:19
19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness…
The High Priesthood of the Holy Order of God – Alma 4:20
20 And thus in the commencement of the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Alma delivered up the judgment-seat to Nephihah, and confined himself wholly to the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to the testimony of the word, according to the spirit of revelation and…
Old Testament Foundations
Abram and Lot: No Strife
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. Proverbs 17:14 As Abram and his nephew Lot returned from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan, there was a dispute among their people. Instead of letting the issue fester, Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife, I…
New Testament Parallels
That Good Part
Martha was frustrated because her sister Mary was listening to Jesus while she was busy working. Jesus encouraged her to rethink the importance of Mary’s decision. We can all review how we are spending our time and make necessary adjustments.
Church History Connections
“Seek Not to Be Cumbered”
When 25-year-old William E. McLellin asked Joseph Smith for guidance in October of 1831, his life was in transition. His wife of two years, Cynthia Ann, had died. He had met some missionaries and joined the church just two months earlier. Now, he wanted to know what was next. In the revelation Joseph received in…
Duty
In the poem “The Theologian’s Tale; the Legend Beautiful,” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow relates a story of a monk who experiences a supernal vision in which he sees the Savior. During this experience, he hears the poor outside the gate of the convent, and he wonders whether he dares to leave the divine presence in order…
All Posts Referencing Alma 4
- Alma: Receiving God’s Image (1/17/2026)
- Settling Up My Business (10/12/2025)
- After the Holy Order of God (8/13/2024)
- “He Caused That His Sons Should Be Gathered” (7/27/2024)
- Awakened (6/9/2024)
- Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy (12/30/2023)
- Being Governable (10/5/2023)
- That Good Part (4/22/2023)
- The Voice of the People (6/15/2022)
- Abram and Lot: No Strife (2/10/2022)
- Duty (9/21/2021)
- Equal (7/14/2021)
- “Seek Not to Be Cumbered” (6/18/2021)
- Declare Repentance (2/18/2021)
- No Inequality (6/21/2020)
- “Highly Favored” – Alma 9:20-24 (6/14/2020)
- “Will Ye Persist in Supposing That Ye Are Better One Than Another?” – Alma 5:54 (6/4/2020)
- “They Were Awakened to a Remembrance of Their Duty” – Alma 4:3 (5/31/2020)
- What Is a “Remission” of Your Sins? (4/23/2020)
- What Is an Elder? (11/10/2019)
- What Is the Priesthood? (11/5/2019)
- How Can I Teach My Children to Be Resilient? (9/19/2019)
- What Is Pride? (9/2/2019)
- How Can I Manage Time More Effectively? (8/21/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Consecrate Something? (5/4/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Resurrection? (4/21/2019)
- Why Are “Envyings” Associated with “Strife?” (4/19/2019)
- What Should I Do About Economic Inequality? (4/5/2019)
- What’s Wrong with “Costly Apparel?” (4/3/2019)
- What Does It Mean to “Succor” Someone? (2/27/2019)
- To Stir Them Up in Remembrance of Their Duty – Alma 4:19 (11/19/2018)
- Nevertheless, the Spirit of the Lord Did Not Fail Him – Alma 4:15 (2/11/2017)
- Lifted Up in the Pride of Their Eyes – Alma 4:6-9 (2/10/2017)
- The Spirit of the Lord Did Not Fail Him – Alma 4:15 (9/19/2016)
- He Delivered the Judgment-Seat unto Nephihah – Alma 4:18-20 (8/29/2016)
- The High Priesthood of the Holy Order of God – Alma 4:20 (6/27/2016)
- And This He Did That He Himself Might Go Forth – Alma 4:18-19 (6/1/2015)
- Alma 4:12-13 He Saw Great Inequality Among the People (10/28/2014)